The Caring for the Whole Person Initiative is a collaborative project of the California Catholic Bishops and Catholic Health Systems which seeks to ensure that parishioners and patients are accompanied, loved and supported in their serious illness and end-of-life journey. To that end the Initiative will provide each Parish with tools, resources, guidance, training and other supports to implement Whole Person Care.
Catholic Moral Teaching on End-of-Life
To host a learning series at your parish, contact: [email protected]
Advance Care Planning
Expressing your healthcare wishes and completing an Advance Directive.
Guided by Grace
In Guided by Grace, estate planning attorney and mother, Laura Meier, provides Catholic families groundbreaking guidance for creating a family estate plan that goes well beyond just the legal and practical considerations.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?
OC Catholic Cemeteries
Things to know about Catholic burials and funeral planning.
Spiritual Support for Illness and End-of-Life
Anointing of the Sick
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
-from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español
Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound
These Eucharistic Minsters take Communion, Sunday bulletins, and the encouragement of community to the elderly, sick and housebound. Ministers visit the local nursing homes as well. To request for Communion to be brought to you or a family member who is sick or housebound, please contact your parish office.
Maribo Cares: Helping Cancer Fighters Through Recovery
Maribo Cares is driven by a single goal, to do our very best to make the recovery time for all cancer fighters and survivors more comfortable. We look for the best services and service providers who share our same belief, that every man, woman, and child should be lovingly cared for with compassion and understanding. Where the help from other organizations has ended or has not been available, Maribo Cares strives to build lasting relationships and a broad network of partners to make a positive impact on all cancer heroes. (949) 751-6064 or [email protected]
Visitation Ministries
The following parishes offer visitor ministries to senior and housebound parishioners. They offer listening ears, understanding hearts, and the presence and friendship of the parish community. More information is linked below by location or contact the respective parish office for more information.
- Santiago de Compostela (Lake Forest)
- Helping chronically sick and caregivers to share, support, and pray for each other. Contact: Merly Gorospe (949) 584-2798 [email protected] or Edith Rosales (949) 350-3824 [email protected]
- A parish initiative to bring Christ’s Presence and Hope to those who are coping with chronic illnesses and end stage conditions. We listen, support, encourage and pray with them, with their families and caregivers. Friendly home visit can also be requested by calling the parish office. Contact us – [email protected]
- Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano Friendly Visitors
- Contact: 949-234-1391 [email protected]
- St. Irenaeus Care Facilities Ministry (Cypress)
- Contact: 714-826-0760 [email protected]
- St. Martin de Porres (Yorba Linda)
- Contact: Mary Coulter homevisitsmdpyl.org
- St. Kilian Friendly Visitor Program (Mission Viejo)
- Do you know a senior or are you someone who would benefit from companionship? St. Kilian Friendly Visitors would like to meet you. Having a regular visitor can bring so much joy and building new friendships can lead us all to a better relationship with Christ.
- Help make a difference and connect with the Homebound Senior community of our parish! Contact: [email protected]
Senior Support
Provides companionship and in-home care services to help seniors stay independent in their homes. Our unique program matches mature adults who want to help with seniors who are in need of help. Chapters throughout Orange County and the nation. Multilingual support available.
Contact: Danielle and Chris Tuason (657)608- CARE (2273) [email protected]
Senior Care Referral Specialists
For free assistance finding independent living communities, in-home care services, assisted living communities, residential board & care homes, dementia/Alzheimer’s Care, and other community resources, contact Sharon Holmes, Eldercare Consultant, at 714-955-4781
Saint Francis Home
The St. Francis Home is a home for senior women since 1944, located in the heart of Santa Ana and run by the Franciscan Sisters. Open to Catholic and non-Catholic residents.
1718 W. 6th Street Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 542-0381 [email protected] Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
http://www.st-francis-home.org/
OC Navigator local community resources and support by topic (Available in all Languages)
North Orange County Senior Collaborative
NOCSC is proud to offer our Resource Guide to seniors, caregivers, family members and the professionals who work in the senior care industry. This guide includes the steps and services to use in determining senior care, as well as some helpful definitions and local resources.
St. Jude Medical Center Senior Services, the Caregiver Resource Center and NOCSC members all contributed to make the guide available and current.
Project Life: Building Authentic Intergenerational Relationships
Our Mission is to create programs that are economically sustainable and that inspire people of all ages to do good works through the gift of their time, talent, and/or treasure and that enhance their faith journey as well as the journey of others.
Project Life is a program where young adults volunteer their time to help seniors living in their community by spending one hour a week for 8-12 weeks. Additional programs are in various stages of development and as such are under construction.
If you are an older adult with any need, call our Information & Assistance Call Center at (714) 480-6450.
City of Anaheim Program for Older Adults
OCTA- Senior Mobility Program (senior transportation)
Welcome to the Senior Mobility Program – a group of cities and organizations in Orange County offering community transit programs that provide transportation services for seniors. Under the program, participating cities are eligible to receive funds and vehicles from OCTA to help design and operate a transit program that best fits the needs of older adults in their communities. Seniors 60 years and older qualify for this program
For more information on senior transportation, visit the Orange County Office on Aging at officeonaging.ocgov.com or call (800) 510-2020.
RideWell: Care that Gets you There (senior transportation)
Our services are designed to meet patients and facilities where they are — providing safe, dependable transport options for any level of mobility.
Caregiving
Caregiver support group at St. Timothy Parish, Laguna Niguel
- for those caring for a loved one with any type of illness
- Meetings take place the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 9:30-11am
- Contact the Parish: (949) 249-4091
Spiritual support for the Catholic caregiver and persons with chronic illness or pain.
Our mission is to support and empower caregivers through the gift of faith.
Family Caregiver Resource Center
Sponsored by St. Jude Medical Center, the Family Caregiver Resource Center helps Orange County families who are coping with the physical, emotional, and financial responsibilities of caregiving. Support Groups and free resources available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and interpreter services can help with other languages as well.
(800)543-8312 or (714)446-5030
Alzheimer’s OC Caregiver Support Resources
Magnificare Caregiver Staffing Solutions
Magnificare LLC is a values-driven home care organization with a mission and philosophy in mind to always be family-oriented. We believe in the true meaning of the word “care”. We care about building relationships with our clients and their families. We care about nurturing respect between our clients and their caregivers. We ensure that freedom of choice, individuality, and dignity remain firmly in the hands of those we care for. We understand that being able to stay in your own home can make a huge difference to your mental and physical well-being. We believe that you are the expert in knowing what is best for your lifestyle and will work closely with you and your family members to provide reliable, tailored care enabling you to live the best life that you can. Ryan Mendoza (949)300-6740 [email protected]
For Those Who Work or Are Interested in Working in Healthcare or Accompaniment Ministry
Reading Resources
Book: “Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Illness & Pain” by: Maureen Pratt
(available in Christ Cathedral Book Store or online) https://www.maureenpratt.com/
Book: “The Peace with Dementia Rosary: Education, Intentions, Community”
Contact [email protected] to order a copy for $12
from Catholic Aging: A Ministry for Aging and Cognitive Impairment